FCPX Not Transcoding/Analyzing

Question

Level 1

8 points

FCPX Not Transcoding/Analyzing

I have had FCPX for a long time and have never had this issue. All of the sudden after importing footage it will not transcode/analyze any footage. It will try and try but rarely gets past 20% complete. The blue bar indicating the footage is not fully ready remains on all clips and I cannot play/work with any of the footage back becasue it is so jumpy and choppy on playback. I have redownloaded, reset and even updated to the most recent version of FCPX that my iMac will support and still it is not working. Neither footage shot on my Samsung note 9 imported via external hard drive or my footage shot on a Canon DSLR being imported via SD card will work. Helllpppp!!! I can edit footage that won't playback smoothly. I am in so much trouble.

Final Cut Pro X, OS X Yosemite (10.10.5)

Posted on Aug 4, 2018 1:30 AM

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Answer 1

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

152,780 points

Aug 4, 2018 12:16 PM in response to gibson18

The blue line is a keyword indicator and has nothing to do with whether the files are ready or not. Do not cteate optimized or proxy files on import. Switch off analysis on import. Use the File menu to delete the generated files. Only create proxies if needed.

How is your drve connected exactly? As the drive fills it gets more difficult for it to sustain effecient playback, especially on spinning drives. High data rate ProRes files used in optimization require fast drives.

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Answer 2

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

152,780 points

Aug 4, 2018 2:26 PM in response to gibson18

You are hampered by the computer, which is the bare minimum for FCP, minimum RAM and VRAM. The media is UHD, which should require more resources. The drive may be only USB2, which is inadequate. It’s also a designated Time Machine drive, which slows it down further, not only because of the way TM works, but also because it’s probably heavily fragmented. You might try creating proxy files and switching to proxy playback for editing, but that’s probably the best you’ll be able to.

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Answer 3

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

152,780 points

Aug 4, 2018 1:37 AM in response to gibson18

What OS and FCP version is this?

Can you post a screenshot that shows the blue bar?

Where are the media and rendered files stored?

Why are you optimizing your files? Optimized files require fast hard drives.

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Answer 4

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

152,780 points

Aug 4, 2018 2:01 PM in response to gibson18

It may be the media or the drives. You need to give complete information on those and on your system.

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Answer 5

gibson18 Author

Level 1

8 points

Aug 4, 2018 12:05 PM in response to Tom Wolsky

OS X Yosemite 10.10.5 / FCPX 10.2.3

My files are stored on my external Seagate Expansion drive. I copy my media to the library. My library files are also stored on the same external drive.

I'm not purposely importing the footage this way. I'm just importing my files with the same settings I have been using for two years and now it is not working all of the sudden.

And they do import and display but when I begin working with them the playback fails!

Because it never finishes this process.

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Answer 6

gibson18 Author

Level 1

8 points

Aug 4, 2018 1:33 PM in response to Tom Wolsky

Okay, I moved the video files to my desktop and saved my FCP library file on the desktop. I also deleted the generated files and changed my import setting as specified. Started over with the import copying files to the library via the desktop. Videos imported great, playback still extremely glitchy. Any other ideas? I appreciate your help so much!!!

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Answer 7

gibson18 Author

Level 1

8 points

Aug 5, 2018 3:38 AM in response to Tom Wolsky

Okay, this is what I assumed but wanted to avoid. I just graduated from college in May and have obviously been putting off affording a new computer for some time. I'm definitely going to start looking at new iMacs. Would you be able to help recommend and suggest certain features that I should look to have on my new iMac that would beneficial for what I am trying to do? I am not an editor but am a director. I will never be editing a major project with advanced technical work but I often do small projects, freelance video work, and home movies on my iMac. I don't need a machine that can edit, mix and color a feature that's not what I do, but I do need power for processing media files, working with them and creating projects. Any advice/ideas on what my next iMac could be is so appreciated. Thank you!!

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Answer 8

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

152,780 points

Aug 5, 2018 6:43 AM in response to gibson18

This depends entirely on what you can afford. I'd suggest an SSD internal drive rather than Fusion. Get as much RAM and VRAM as you can afford. If the machine can have RAM added after purchase you could go that route if you're comfortable taking a machine apart. Check Apple refurbs. They're warranted; sometimes you'll find a machine with good RAM and graphics processing. Keep part of your budget aside for a good, fast external drive.

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